Method and apparatus for interchangeable shoe sole

ABSTRACT

An interlocking mechanism for a shoe can provide the ability for the shoe sole to be attached or removed. For example, a shoe wearer may want the ability to change his or her shoe soles for aesthetic purposes. The shoe sole can also comprise additional functionality for the shoe wearer. For example, the shoe sole itself provide storage and/or lighting capabilities.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to shoe soles for various shoe types. More specifically this disclosure relates to interchangeable shoe soles for various shoe types.

BACKGROUND

All shoes have a sole, which is the bottom of a shoe, in contact with the ground. Soles can be made from a variety of materials, although most modern shoes have soles made from natural rubber, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds. Soles can be simple—a single material in a single layer—or they can be complex, with multiple structures or layers and materials. When various layers are used, soles may consist of an insole, midsole, and an outsole.

The above-described background relating to compensators for various wireless applications is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of compensator technology, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other context regarding antennas may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example exploded cut away view of a shoe.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example side view of a shoe with an attached sole.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example side view of a shoe with an attached sole.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example cross sectional view of a shoe and a lower sole separated.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example cross sectional view of the shoe and a lower sole attached.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for attaching a shoe sole to a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment,” “in one aspect,” or “in an embodiment,” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The words “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

In addition, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, or computer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., hard disk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smart card; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or a virtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the above computer-readable media.

Various embodiments are described herein to facilitate interchangeable shoe soles. A simplified overview is provided herein to help enable a basic or general understanding of various aspects of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments that follow in the more detailed description and the accompanying drawings. This overview is not intended, however, as an extensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the purpose of this overview is to present some concepts related to some exemplary non-limiting embodiments in simplified form as a prelude to more detailed descriptions of the various embodiments that follow in the disclosure.

Although shoe soles have traditionally been modified for the purposes of comfort, this disclosure discusses interchangeable shoe soles that can provide various aesthetic appeal and various functionalities. For example, a shoe sole can be interchanged to match various colors for various outfits. The shoe itself can comprise an upper sole that will allow a lower sole lock into place by virtue of a lip-based system. Additionally, the upper sole of the shoe can comprise an elastic member (e.g., rubber, polyurethane, plastic, carbon fiber, etc.) that can allow for expansion of the upper sole to facilitate the lower sole being attached. It should be noted that the elastic member can be situated anywhere on the upper sole (e.g., in front of a mid-portion of the upper sole, etc.) where it would be capable of facilitating the insertion and/or removal of the lower sole by virtue of utilizing the tensile strength of the elastic member. It should be noted that the elastic member can be on the lateral side, the medial side, or both the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. It should also be noted that one or more elastic members can be located at various areas of the upper sole (e.g., front, sides, rear, etc.) The elastic member can also span the width of the upper sole from the lateral side to the medial side to provide additional elasticity. Additionally, either one or both lip members of the upper sole and the lower sole can comprise a sealing material (e.g., rubber, foam, etc.) to prevent moisture, liquids, and/or debris from entering between the upper sole and the lower sole. It should be noted that the elastic member can have various tensile strengths to facilitate ease of insertion/removal and/or hermetic seal.

Additionally, from a utilitarian perspective, the lower sole can perform various utilities. For instance, a recessed compartment within the lower sole can store various objects including, but not limited to: money, keys, jewelry, tracking devices, etc. The lower sole can also have a tracking device built within capable of sending and/or receiving wireless signals, and/or a roller component built into the bottom of the lower sole to facilitate rolling of a user when the lower sole is attached to the upper sole. The lower sole can also be so dimensioned as to accept support (e.g., foam, memory foam, rubber, gel, etc.) to create a cushion for the user of the shoe. For example a recess on the top surface of the sole can be dimensioned to received support (e.g., cushion, foam, gel, etc.) for the shoe wearer. The lower sole can also provide additional ventilation for the shoe via slots that can facilitate air flow in an upper sole and/or a lower sole. In another embodiment, hot packs or cold packs can be placed within a compartment of the lower sole to provide a heating or cooling source for the user of a show. In addition, odor eaters or certain fragrances can be placed in a compartment of the lower sole to help remove the smell of odors. In yet another embodiment, the lower sole can comprise an electric massager (rechargeable by USB or battery) and/or a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit to massage and/or stimulate a user's foot. It should also be noted that other locking mechanisms can be used to facilitate interchangeable shoe soles. For instance, a retractable locking mechanism, a clasp and lock, and/or an insert and snap functionality can all be used to facilitate the interchangeable shoe soles. In yet, another embodiment, the lower sole can comprise a light, lighting component, and/or light emitting diodes to help the shoe wearer see in low visibility scenarios.

Described herein are systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and other embodiments or implementations that can facilitate the use of interchangeable shoe soles.

A variety of shoes on the market suffer from a standard or rigid structure that do not allow for interchangeable shoe soles. However, the embodiments of the current disclosure presented herein provide several advantages such as the ability to change shoe soles based on outfits, the ability to store items within the shoe sole, etc.

According to one embodiment, described herein is a shoe comprising an upper sole, wherein the upper sole comprises a lip for interlocking with a lower sole. Additionally, the upper sole comprises an elastic member that spans the width of the upper sole for facilitating the interlocking with the lower sole.

According to another embodiment, described herein is a shoe comprising an upper sole, wherein the upper sole comprises an elastic member, and wherein the upper sole comprises a first lip. Additionally, the shoe can comprise a lower sole, wherein the lower sole comprises a second lip for interlocking with the first lip of the upper sole.

According to yet another embodiment, described herein is a method for facilitating interchangeable shoe soles. The method can comprise stretching an elastic member of an upper sole of a shoe from a first position to a second position, wherein the upper sole of the shoe comprises a first lip. Additionally, the method can comprise attaching a lower sole of the shoe to the upper sole of the shoe by inserting a second lip of the lower sole into a recess formed by the first lip of the upper sole. Furthermore, the method can comprise releasing the upper sole of the shoe to facilitate an interlocking of the upper sole to the lower sole as a result of the elastic member returning to the first position.

These and other embodiments or implementations are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate apparatuses and methods that facilitate use of interchangeable shoe soles. For simplicity of explanation, the methods (or algorithms) are depicted and described as a series of acts. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various embodiments are not limited by the acts illustrated and/or by the order of acts. For example, acts can occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented or described herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement the methods. In addition, the methods could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events. Additionally, the methods described hereafter are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) to facilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media, including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example exploded cut away view of a shoe. The shoe 100 can comprise an upper sole 108 and a lower sole 102. The upper sole can comprise a lip 114 and an elastic member 110. The elastic member 110 can be on the medial side of the shoe 100, the lateral side of the shoe 100, or both side the lateral and medial side of the shoe. It should also be noted that the elastic member can span the width of the shoe and be fixed at any point along the length of the shoe to provide increased or reduced elasticity characteristics. Additionally, the width and thickness of the elastic member 110 (e.g., faction of an inch, an inch, greater than an inch, etc.) can also increase or reduce the elasticity characteristics. The lower sole 102 can comprise an upper lip 104 and a lower lip 106, wherein a recess is formed between the upper lip 104 and the lower lip 106. Additionally, it should be noted that in some embodiments the lower sole 102 can comprise a compartment 112 (e.g., recess within the lower sole 102) for storing items. During stretched, the elastic member 110 can be stretched to expand the lip 114 to allow enough clearance for the upper lip 104 to be inserted into the recess created by the lip 114. However, once the elastic member 110 returns to a non-stretched state, the compression provided by the elastic member 110 can interlock the lower sole 102 with the upper sole 108 by sealing the space between the lip 114 and the recess between the upper lip 104 and the lower lip 106.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, illustrated are example side views of a shoe with an attached sole. The elastic member 110 can be stretched to provide separation between a front portion 108A of the upper sole 108 and a rear portion 108B of the upper sole 108. For example, an upwards vertical force applied to the front portion 108A can cause the elastic member 110 to stretch as depicted in FIG. 2, thereby creating a larger area for the lip 114 to receive the upper lip 104. Consequently, once the upward vertical force is removed or ceases as depicted by FIG. 4, the elastic member 110 can return to its normal state (e.g., state at rest), which can interlock the lip 114 within the recess formed by the upper lip 104 and the lower lip 106 of the lower sole 102. Furthermore, the lip 114 and/or the upper lip 104 can comprise fitted materials (e.g., rubber, foam, etc.) capable of sealing the shoe 100 from water and/or debris once the lower sole 102 is attached. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the lower sole 102 can be more rigid than in other embodiments to facilitate the interlocking of the upper sole 108 with the lower sole 102. Likewise, to remove the lower sole 102, an upward vertical force can be placed on the front portion 108A of the upper sole to allow the lower sole 102 to be released.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, illustrated are example cross sectional views of the shoe 100. FIG. 4 depicts a view of the shoe 100 illustrating the lower sole 102 in a detached formation, whereas FIG. 5 depicts the shoe 100 and the lower sole 102 mated to the upper sole 108 via the lip 114 and the upper lip 104. It should be noted that other rigid locking configurations (e.g., groves, pins, clasps, etc.) can be used as an alternative to the lip locking structure.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example method for attached a shoe sole to a shoe. At element 600, the method can comprise stretching an elastic member 110 of an upper sole 108 of a shoe 100 from a first position to a second position, wherein the upper sole 108 of the shoe comprises a first lip (e.g., lip 114). Additionally, at element 602, the method can comprise attaching a lower sole 102 of the shoe 100 to the upper sole 108 of the shoe 100 by inserting a second lip (e.g., 104) of the lower sole 102 into a recess formed by the first lip (e.g., lip 114) of the upper sole 108. Furthermore, at element 604, the method can comprise releasing the upper sole 108 of the shoe 100 to facilitate an interlocking of the upper sole 108 to the lower sole 102 as a result of the elastic member 110 returning to the first position.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the subject matter has been described herein in connection with various embodiments and corresponding FIGs, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe, comprising: an upper sole, wherein the upper sole comprises: a lip for interlocking with a lower sole; and an elastic member that spans a width of the upper sole for facilitating the interlocking with the lower sole.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a first elastic member, further comprising: a second elastic member on a medial of the upper sole.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a first elastic member, further comprising: a second elastic member on a lateral side of the upper sole.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is in front of a mid-sole area of the shoe.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a retractable system that allows a front portion of the upper sole and a rear portion of the upper sole to expand or retract.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a rubber.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the lip comprises a rubber portion to seal the upper sole to the lower sole.
 8. A shoe, comprising: an upper sole, wherein the upper sole comprises an elastic member, and wherein the upper sole comprises a first lip; and a lower sole, wherein the lower sole comprises a second lip for interlocking with the first lip of the upper sole.
 9. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a recessed compartment for storage.
 10. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a massaging component capable of massaging a user's foot.
 11. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a memory foam.
 12. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a lighting component.
 13. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a tracking component for tracking a location of the shoe.
 14. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the lower sole comprises a roller component.
 15. A method, comprising: stretching an elastic member of an upper sole of a shoe from a first position to a second position, wherein the upper sole of the shoe comprises a first lip; attaching a lower sole of the shoe to the upper sole of the shoe by inserting a second lip of the lower sole into a recess formed by the first lip of the upper sole; and releasing the upper sole of the shoe to facilitate an interlocking of the upper sole to the lower sole as a result of the elastic member returning to the first position.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first lip comprises a sealing material to prevent moisture from entering between the upper sole and the lower sole.
 17. The method of claim 15, the second lip comprises a sealing material to prevent moisture from entering between the upper sole and the lower sole.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the stretching comprises stretching the elastic member to facilitate the attaching of the lower sole to the upper sole.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: stretching the elastic member to facilitate removing the lower sole of the shoe.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: inserting a cushion into a compartment of the lower sole of the shoe to provide support for a user of the shoe. 